If the ninth-ranked Nittany Lions (5-1) are just two days from insulting the Hurricanes on Miami's intimidating home turf, they have to stop an intricate passing game that features speed, strength and savvy. Fifteen Miami receivers have caught passes, reflective of Miami's significant depth and talent.

Copeland and Thomas are the starting wide receivers. Spencer and Williams are listed as tailbacks, but they will often line up in a slot or at the line of scrimmage, giving Miami three - and sometimes four - options on passing plays.

Penn State will ultimately have to choose which man is most vital on certain plays and hope it guesses right. It's not an exact science, which accounts for Miami's prolific numbers: The second-ranked Hurricanes have surpassed the 500-yard mark in total offense in all four of their victories.

''If we play to the best of our ability, I don't think anyone can stop us,'' said Copeland, a junior from Evans High School. ''The only way they can stop us is if we hurt ourselves and not run our assignments.''

Thomas has emerged as Miami's most prolific receiver, with 17 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Spencer has 10 catches for 170 yards; Copeland nine for 237 yards and one touchdown and Williams eight for 162 and two touchdowns. They are averaging at least 17 yards per reception.

Now toss in the added threat of fullback Martin Patton (14-192, 1 TD) or Williams darting out of the backfield (5 rushes, 101 yards), and you have a profile of the nauseating challenges that await Penn State.

Yet it would be foolish simply to dismiss the Nittany Lions, who come in as 10-point underdogs. Joe Paterno can coach a little defense, and he has a history of making the Hurricanes squirm. Witness Penn State's 14-10 victory in the Fiesta Bowl in 1987, when Penn State's defense disguised its coverages and ambushed Vinny Testaverde for five interceptions.

The Nittany Lions have continued their run at embarrassing Heisman Trophy winners, holding Brigham Young's Ty Detmer to a career-low eight completions during Penn State's 33-7 rout earlier this season.

The most impressive names in the defensive backfield are senior cornerback Humphries, who had eight tackles and one interception against Florida State in the 1990 Blockbuster Bowl, and strong safety Perry, who intercepted three passes against Boston College.

They can cover only so much turf. Miami's receivers will spread the field, allowing quarterback Gino Torretta to pick from myriad options.

''When we see a weak spot in the defense, we keep hitting it,'' Williams said. ''The defense can't key on one person. Then other people have to become accountable and make something happen.''